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Author: Veronica Charalambous

GLITTER Consortium Advances Efforts to Strengthen Digital Well-being in Schools

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Partners of the GLITTER project (Strengthening learners’ digital well-being using effective teaching practices and digital environments) gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 2–3 October 2025 for a transnational project meeting (TPM) hosted by CARDET.

The event brought together representatives from CARDET (Cyprus), KONNEKTABLE TECHNOLOGIES (Greece), UAV (Romania), Wonderful Education (Italy), and PCG (Poland) to review project progress and plan next steps in advancing digital well-being across European schools.

Over two productive days, partners discussed the ongoing work within each work package, including mapping best practices, designing the whole-school approach to digital well-being, and developing practical tools to be piloted in schools across Cyprus, Italy, Poland, and Romania. UAV led in-depth sessions on national mappings and comparative analysis, while WE presented updates on the design and development of practical instruments. CARDET guided discussions on pilot implementation and evaluation strategies, ensuring that forthcoming activities align with the project’s overall objectives.

In addition, the consortium addressed project management, financial coordination, communication, and sustainability strategies. The GLITTER communication team, coordinated by CARDET and KT with support from UAV, WE, and PCG, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the project’s visibility and impact through strategic dissemination, social media engagement, and stakeholder outreach.

Through these collaborative efforts, GLITTER aims to develop and test an evidence-based whole-school approach to enhance digital well-being in education, supporting teachers, learners, and policymakers in fostering safer and more empowering digital environments.

The meeting concluded with an engaging networking dinner in the heart of old Nicosia, further strengthening collaboration and partnership spirit among the project teams.

Learn more about the project at https://glitter-project.eu/

Civic Champions Project: The Shrinking Space for Civil Society – Challenges and Prospects

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 2 October 2025, the Old Nicosia Town Hall became the stage for a timely discussion on the pressures faced by civil society organisations (CSOs) and their implications for democracy during the Cyprus Forum 2025. The event was organised under the EU-funded Civic Champions project, with CARDET as Knowledge Partner.

Entitled “The Shrinking Space for Civil Society: Challenges and Prospects”, the event addressed how policies, funding frameworks, and legislation, alongside digital and physical threats, are reshaping the operating environment of CSOs in Cyprus and across Southern Europe. Drawing on recent research, the dialogue highlighted key concerns such as restrictive regulations, bureaucratic hurdles, banking and funding barriers, online harassment, and a polarised public discourse — all of which risk weakening the role of CSOs in democratic life

The panel featured insightful contributions from:

  • Konstantina Karacosta, Founder & Cost Consultant, K. KARAKOSTA Q.S. L.L.C; Vice President, Civil Society Advocates; and President, NGO “ένα εμείς”
  • Dimitris Lambrianides, President of the Cyprus Paraplegics Organisation
  • Andreas Kyprianides, Secretary General of the Cyprus Youth Council

The discussion was moderated by Foteini Sokratous, Project Manager and Researcher at CARDET.

Learn more about the Civic Champions Forum here!

The Ministry of Health and UNICEF Launch National Campaign to Support Youth Mental Health in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

#OnMyMind #MoreToSay Campaign Aims to Reduce Stigma and Encourage Help-Seeking Based on Groundbreaking Report Findings on youth mental health in Cyprus

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF and with the support of the European Commission, has launched a national communication campaign to promote mental well-being among young people in Cyprus.

Running from September to November, the campaign, titled #OnMyMind #MoreToSay (and #ΜίλαΑνοιχτά #ΕίναιΟΚoτιΝιώθεις in Greek), aims to address the rising levels of anxiety, depression, and stress faced by youth, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of the larger “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” project, which is fully underway.

The campaign is built on the findings of a groundbreaking national report, “Supporting mental health and care for the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people” coordinated and run by CARDET with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus  and the Cyprus Youth Council. This study provides the first comprehensive mapping of youth mental health in Cyprus, revealing that 86% of youth report high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while 75% feel constant pressure and stress. Furthermore, although 60% of young people said they needed to visit a mental health professional, fewer than half (43%) actually did so, due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access. Its recommendations have directly informed the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan.

Through social media, podcasts, TV appearances, articles and events—the campaign will share tips, helplines, and resources to normalize conversations about mental health and empower young people to seek help. It targets not only youth aged 15–24, but also parents, educators, caregivers, and the wider community.

“Supporting the mental well-being of our youth is not just a health priority—it is a national priority”, highlights Alexandros Tifas, Mental Health Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Health. “By investing in youth resilience today, we safeguard the future of our society. This project represents an important step towards creating a Cyprus where every young person feels supported, heard, and empowered to seek help without stigma”.

Beyond addressing immediate needs, the initiative lays the groundwork for a long-term National Mental Health Strategy. By aligning with international best practices and actively involving young people in designing solutions, Cyprus is taking decisive steps toward a sustainable and inclusive approach to mental health. The project has also been reviewed and approved by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee, ensuring ethical compliance and respect for the voices of young participants.

Stay Connected

Follow the campaign on the Youth Board of Cyprus and CARDET social media channels, or under the hashtags #OnMyMind #MoreToSay and #ΜίλαΑνοιχτά #ΕίναιΟΚoτιΝιώθεις for updates and useful resources.

Youth Board of Cyprus social media:

CARDET social media:

About the Project

The project Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus is funded by the European Commission via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. CARDET coordinates the research component with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) and the Cyprus Youth Council (CYC). Project Reference: ECARO/PCA202294/SPD2024252

Read the full report here!

For further information and support regarding Mental Health, click here!  

EPIC New Training Framework launched: A deep dive into Curriculum Design and Implementation Strategy

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The newly developed curriculum offers a comprehensive educational journey into social entrepreneurship, specifically designed to cultivate a social innovation mindset among young people in the Western Balkans. Structured across six core modules, the program guides learners from the foundational trends of social entrepreneurship and the EntreComp Framework to the practicalities of social business modeling and opportunity identification. To ensure a holistic learning experience, the content is delivered through an interactive eCourse and a downloadable PDF, complemented by a series of assessments that validate the acquisition of key entrepreneurial skills.

Beyond the core instructional content, the implementation strategy includes a specialized Train the Trainers Manual, serving as a definitive guide for educators to deliver the curriculum effectively. This is further supported by a suite of supplementary materials and resources that bridge the gap between social work and entrepreneurial initiatives. By providing these tools, the initiative ensures that trainers and participants alike are equipped with a toolkit to navigate social innovation, from initial planning to the successful execution of social business models.

Training implementation across the Western Balkans showed high engagement. In Kosovo, 83% of participants were women, and over 70% of youth found the curriculum completely relevant. Albania’s
sessions integrated local social enterprises, with 92.9% of youth rating the training’s utility as high. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a youth-led approach provided many participants with their first structured exposure to social entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the EPIC project here: https://epic-project.eu/ 

Civic Champions: International Consultation Meeting in Vienna Advances Efforts to Safeguard Civic Space in the EU

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 26 September 2025, the Civic Champions Project convened its International Consultation Meeting on Safeguarding Civic Space in the EU at Impact Hub Vienna. The event brought together representatives from European institutions, civil society organisations, local authorities, and digital innovation experts to address pressing challenges facing civic space across the region.

The meeting opened with remarks from Mariyan K. Sabev, Director of Communications & Senior Security Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy, and Rania El Ampasy, Civic Engagement and Governance Unit Coordinator at KMOP. They underlined the urgency of reinforcing civic freedoms and fostering resilience in the face of growing pressures on democratic participation.

In the session Civic Space at a Crossroads – Threats and Resilience in Focus, leading experts including Waltraud Heller (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights), Shams Asadi (Head of Human Rights Office, City of Vienna), Hedvig Morvai (ERSTE Stiftung), and Cristina Marcuzzo (DG Research & Innovation, European Commission) shared perspectives on current challenges and strategies to safeguard civic space.

The keynote address, Smarter Safeguards – How Digital Tools Can Protect Democratic Space, was delivered by Arno Scharl, Managing Partner at webLyzard technology, highlighting how innovative technologies can support civil society organisations (CSOs) in navigating emerging threats.

A central focus of the consultation was the presentation of the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) by Rania El Ampasy, showcasing its potential as a monitoring tool to identify risks and provide timely responses for CSOs. Participants later engaged in a Feedback and Q&A session to further shape and strengthen the EWM.

The consultation concluded with closing remarks from Rania El Ampasy, emphasising the importance of collaboration and joint commitment to preserving democratic space across the EU.

This international gathering marks an important milestone in the Civic Champions Project’s mission to foster dialogue, strengthen safeguards, and empower civil society in Europe.

Learn more about the Civic Champions Project here.

European Parliament Hosts Final Just4All Policy Roundtable on Inclusive Adult Learning for a Just Transition

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 24 September 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted the Final EU Policy Roundtable of the Just4All project, bringing together policymakers, civil society representatives, and education experts to explore how adult learning can drive a fair and inclusive green and digital transition.

The event kicked off with opening remarks from the Secretary-General of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), Raffaela Kihrer. This introduction highlighted the goal of the project not only to give people skills to engage in democratic processes which foster a just transition, but to equip people with the power and voice to face a changing political landscape.

MEP Victor Negrescu (S&D) then took the floor to deliver the keynote speech. The speech focused on the need to put people in the driver’s seat when it comes to the multiple transitions Europe is facing, and the outcomes of the Just4All project, which put forward concrete means of achieving this. Over the past two years, Just4All has developed innovative tools and policy recommendations to ensure that vulnerable groups—particularly migrants, women, and low-skilled adults—are not left behind in Europe’s transformations.

The programme featured national insights from the project partners, the presentation of the Just4All multilingual MOOC and Toolkit, and a policy roundtable with EU officials, academics, and civil society leaders. Insights from each of the national project partners in their contexts, were presented by: Xanthia Aristidou, CARDET, Cyprus, Lorraine O’Connor, AONTAS, Ireland, Jörgen Danielsson, ABF, Sweden, Océane Danieli, Ligue de l’Enseignement, France. The Just4All toolkit was presented by Angeliki Giannakopoulou, Senior Policy and Project Coordinator at EAEA. Then, the policy roundtable got underway. The discussion was moderated by Elisa Gambardella, Education and Lifelong Learning Coordinator at SOLIDAR, and heard inputs from: Frank Siebern-Thomas, Head of Unit F.3 in DG EMPL working on Fair Green and Digital Transitions, Majda Richer, Projects and Research Associate, International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), Gaetano Sciarotta, Policy Officer, SOLIDAR. 

Frank Siebern-Thomas reflected on how to disseminate the recommendations stemming from the project further and the need for consultation with civil society to reach target groups in social inclusion policies such as those addressed by Just4All. Majda Richer spoke about the key role that partnerships play in advancing a just transition, and the need to harness partnerships to ensure civic education allows all voices to be heard as part of just transitions. Gaetano Sciarotta finished by presenting the roadmap and recommendations which came out of the Just4All project, which target policy-makers as well as educators and civil society working on adult education and lifelong learning.

The event was closed by SOLIDAR’s Secretary-General, Mikael Leyi, who delivered a call to action to continue centring people – including marginalised groups – in our work to advance a just transition for all. Closing reflections highlighted the project’s strong contribution to the European Pillar of Social Rights, especially in advancing lifelong learning (Principle 1) and equal access to services (Principle 20). Participants underlined the urgent need for continued investment in inclusive adult education to ensure no one is excluded from Europe’s green and digital future.

The Just4All project (2023–2025) leaves behind a legacy of practical tools, evidence-based policy recommendations, and a forward-looking Road Map that will continue to inform European strategies for social fairness and sustainable development.

Learn more about the Just4All project by visiting its website.

DISCOVER Piloting Phase in Tunisia Successfully Completed: Six training Implementations Delivered across Three VET Centres

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Following completion of the DISCOVER training resource package – comprising the Curriculum for VET Providers, the Curriculum for VET Trainers and the Master Trainers’ Handbook – and the subsequent online Training of Trainers programme involving approximately 20 Tunisian trainers, the project progressed to the implementation phase.

Between May and June, and again in September 2025, the three partner Tunisian VET centres – CFA Bizerte, CFA Menzel Bourguiba and CSFAG Ariana – each delivered two training courses: one dedicated to VET Providers and one dedicated to VET Trainers. In total, six training implementations were conducted across the three centres.

These sessions were facilitated by the DISCOVER “Master Trainers”, previously selected and prepared through the dedicated online ToT. This implementation phase therefore represented the first full deployment of the DISCOVER training resources in real training environments.

Across all sites, 75 VET professionals participated. According to the data submitted by the centres, and based on participant feedback collected through the evaluation tools, the training initiatives achieved very positive results. Participants highlighted the high relevance and usefulness of the content, the balance of theory and practice, and the value added by the blend of classroom activities, digital tools and interactive exercises. The blended learning model, the collaborative approach and the strong focus on practical application were collectively viewed as key drivers of learning impact.

Learn more about the project by visiting the project’s website.

GET POLITICAL Project Showcases Political Literacy Booklet at UpToYouth Festival in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 20 September 2025, CARDET successfully tested the Booklet of Political Literacy Practices of the EU-funded GET POLITICAL project during the UpToYouth Festival in Nicosia. The session engaged youth workers and educators in an inspiring discussion on civic participation and critical thinking.

For the testing, the project brought together 12 representatives from diverse organisations, including Friends of the Earth, the Cyprus Youth Council, Terra Cypria, and the NGO Support Centre. Participants studied the booklet, exchanged insights, and shared feedback both verbally and via an online questionnaire.

Feedback was highly positive: participants praised the usefulness and diversity of the initiatives, noting their potential to inspire new civic actions across Cyprus. One initiative on critical thinking was described as “outstanding and really useful”.

At the same time, participants suggested improvements to make the booklet more accessible and engaging. Recommendations included shortening the text, integrating more images and graphics, adding links to the initiatives, and restructuring chapters for easier navigation.

The testing highlighted the booklet’s strong relevance at both local and national levels, reinforcing its value as a tool for empowering youth and strengthening democratic engagement.

Learn more about the project, here: https://getpolitical-project.eu/ 

iWell Project Selected for the European School Education Platform

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

We are proud to share that our project iWell – Enhancing Digital and Social Wellbeing in Schools (https://iwellproject.eu/), developed by CARDET and INNOVADE, representing Cyprus, has been selected for publication in the Toolkit for School Success on the European School Education Platform – the official initiative of the European Commission.

The Toolkit showcases high-quality resources and initiatives that drive educational innovation across Europe. Each entry is carefully reviewed by an independent Editorial Board of experts, making this recognition a significant milestone for the iWell consortium.

The iWell project empowers primary school pupils aged 6–12 to develop healthier online habits and stronger social wellbeing. Through curricula, training materials for teachers, engaging health literacy mini-games, and policy recommendations, the project equips schools and communities with practical tools to foster digital resilience, wellbeing, and balanced lifestyles.

By focusing on health literacy and supportive learning environments, iWell enables children to take greater control of their health while promoting digital wellbeing and balanced lifestyles. Its participatory learning approach encourages pupils to actively engage with health topics in meaningful ways.

The project places emphasis on four key areas to improve pupils’ health, namely:

  • Equipping educators with curricula and teaching practices to promote health literacy and social wellbeing.
  • Enhancing pupils’ digital and life skills, especially around safe and healthy media use.
  • Supporting teachers in fostering critical thinking and health literacy in the classroom.
  • Providing European educators with innovative methods, ICT tools, and research-based evidence through a practical toolkit.

The project has produced the following outputs, most of which are publicly available:

  • Curriculum and training material for educators: Addresses the needs of primary education teachers using a ‘skills-based health education’ approach, equipping them to enhance pupils’ key life skills and support informed decision-making online.
  • Health literacy mini-games: Cover topics such as managing screen time, addressing cyberbullying, and navigating online risks, while strengthening pupils’ decision-making, social skills, and self-confidence.
  • Toolkit with policy and practice recommendations: Offers a collection of lessons learned, best practices, and targeted recommendations for both policymakers and practitioners across Europe.

This recognition highlights the project’s contribution to supporting educators, school leaders, parents, and policymakers in cultivating inclusive and healthy learning environments.

“We often focus only on curriculum and results, but iWell showed us that happiness and resilience matter just as much,” commented an educator participant from Cyprus.We are honoured to see iWell featured among initiatives that inspire and shape positive educational change across Europe.